Many people are respecting social distancing and even wearing masks when they go out into the public to conduct essential business. Grocery shopping is one of those essentials, and three of Blaine County’s grocery store managers report that things are starting to level out as supply chains regain their health and merchandise continues to flow into stores. However, shoppers are spending less time in the stores so as to minimize potential exposure for themselves and others.

In two area stores—Albertsons in Harlem and Finley’s Food Farm in Chinook—grocery store cashiers and customers are separated by Plexiglas shields. That barrier serves to provide some level of protection in containing the spread of germs.

“When this situation with the virus first started, we were lucky to get 50 per cent of our grocery orders; now that percentage is up to 75,” Jeff Finley reported.

For two weeks early in April, Finley’s Food Farm had to impose restrictions on egg, milk, and bread purchases, but those restrictions have been lifted. Still, availability of some products continues to be an issue. The Food Farm has experienced availability concerns with products like rice, cleaning supplies, and toilet paper.

“Most of our suppliers are focusing on core products—their top sellers—so variety may be limited for a while yet. For example, plain stewed tomatoes might be available while the flavored ones may not. By now, however, people are used to not getting everything on their lists, so they select alternatives or substitute for something else,” Finley explained.

Although grocery workers are risking their safety to keep the country fed, Finley expressed a feeling of relief that the infection rates in our area have remained low, with only one case in Hill County and none in Blaine County. “I am also relieved that people are remaining in decent spirits for the most part,” he added.

Linda Hutton, Manager of Big Flat Grocery shared similar reports. “We’re not doing too bad right now. We had to make a few adjustments, but who didn’t?” she chuckled.

Availability of different brands and larger quantities has been an issue of concern for shoppers, according to Hutton. “For example, the availability of bleach is hit or miss, and toilet paper might come in a four-roll pack rather than a twelve; even then, it may not be your favored or usual brand. Furthermore, sugar and flour are only available in five-pound packages rather than in larger quantities.”

Hutton added that Big Flat Grocery has had to extend its Saturday hours, as well, to accommodate a new delivery schedule. “Our main delivery truck changed the delivery date based on the chaos they were experiencing in their Spokane warehouse, so now we get deliveries on Fridays, which led to our adjustment of hours. Although our shelves are not staying as stocked as we’d like, that’s a good problem to have,” she optimistically expressed.

Given the shelter-in-place mandates, Hutton reports that local shopping has increased, with the greatest difference coming in produce and milk sales. “We’ve had to limit milk purchases to two gallons at a time since we only get once-a-week delivery here, but otherwise we haven’t imposed any quantity restrictions. People here pretty much buy what they need rather than overstocking.”

Hutton expressed gratitude to the community for their support. “I can only imagine the conflicts we may have experienced here without a grocery store, so I am grateful that we came together to provide this service. We may not have a huge selection, but we make do,” she said.

Tanner Drabbels, Manager of the Albertsons store, said he was not free to comment on any media matters and referred reporters to Kathy Holland, Communication and Public Relations Official at Albertsons Companies. Holland reported that “Albertsons is doing everything we can to prioritize the health and safety of our associates, customers, and communities, and to ensure our customers have access to the food, medications, and other essential goods they need at this critical time.”

The store has taken a number of additional precautions, including

• Enhancing measures to clean and disinfect all departments, restrooms, and other high touch points of the store throughout the day.

• Making cart wipes and hand sanitizer stations available at key locations within the store for customers’ convenience.

• Ensuring that store associates are able to wash their hands at least one time per hour and stay home if they feel sick.

• Placing social distancing posters and floor markers in stores to remind customers to maintain six-foot distance.

• Placing directional arrows in the aisles for one-way foot traffic.

• Temporarily limiting the number of customers who can be in the store at one time.

• Providing associates with face masks and gloves to wear during their shifts.

• Reserving special times for seniors and other vulnerable shoppers who must leave home to obtain their groceries. In Harlem, those times are 7:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. Store associates ask that non-senior and non-at-risk customers avoid shopping at these times.

Albertsons also has posted in-store signage, asking customers to respect quantity limits on select, high-demand items to help ensure that more people can find the products they need. These include certain cleaning supplies and paper products. Hand sanitizer, disinfecting cleaners, toilet paper, and paper towel are in greater demand, for example. Other shelf stable items, such as dry beans and pasta, as well as baking supplies, are also selling more briskly.

“We are sharing with customers that if the product they are looking for is not in their store today, we are working to replenish it as quickly as possible. We are refilling high-demand products as quickly as we can through our supply chains,” Holland said.